Inside BU’s maximum-security ‘biolab’
Original video report by Peter Howell (From NECN.com), January 10, 2012
Is the middle of Boston the right place for a laboratory researching some of the world’s deadliest bacteria and microbes. Boston University has been arguing for years its maximum security biolab facility will be safe and bring hundreds of jobs. Business reporter Peter Howell was among those invited for a tour today.
Three and a half years after construction finished, the Boston University biolab has finally been cleared for research on low-level diseases like tuberculosis, and now BU is working for approvals to research cures for the deadliest Level 4 infection diseases like ebola and hemorrhagic fevers that more and more are just one airplane passenger away from the US.
“These infections are frequently fatal. The death rate ranges from between 50 to 90%.”
BU’s message: there may be no safer place to research treatments and vaccines.
“This is a completely sterile space, and the idea is that you want to keep it that way. If you keep your workers safe, you really keep your community safe.”
A heavily-guarded, air-filtered, iris scanner-protected, reinforced concrete building inside a building—hundreds of surveillance cameras—set back from Albany Street with fencing to stop a truck bomb.
“I think it’s good for our city.”
Boston mayor, Tom Menino, is now convinced this is safe and means big money—$45 million a year in potential research grants, 300 direct jobs, and 380 spinoff jobs.
“This is about the future. It’s about making sure we have the tools in our city to do the research and find things that we need to cure some of the diseases that are out there.”
For all of the elaborate security measures that have been taken, what’s generated a lot of criticism as well as pending state and federal lawsuits is people asking, “Why would you even introduce the remote risk of dealing with these deadly pathogens right here in the heart of a very busy city?”
Susan Sullivan’s New Market Business Association represents companies employing 15,000 employees nearby.
“There’s no such thing as no risk, but our businesses are comfortable with the degree of security and safety.”
“It’s time for us to open up the lab and start doing some of the work and start recruiting those bright minds to do the research in the city of Boston.”
He used message there may be no safer place to research treatment and vaccine. Is what — girls. But. — You beat us. A heavily guarded era filtered Irish — protected reinforced concrete building inside of building. Hundreds of surveillance cameras setback from Albany street with fencing to stop a truck bomb. It’s I think it’s a good question the question are coming out now — this is safe and means big money. 45 million dollars a year potential research grants 300 — and 380 spin off jobs this about the future. That’s about it through the media tools that city. To do the resurgent — need that we need. Particulars of his disease so yeah. For all of the elaborate security measures have been taken what’s generated a lot of criticism as well as pending state federal lawsuits. These people asking why would you introduce the remote risk deal — he’s deadly pathogens right here in the heart of a very busy city. So once you market business association were present companies and — 151000. Workers nearby. There’s no such thing there’s no risk. But our businesses are comfortable. With a degree of security and — it’s time rushed over the last. The start doing some work to recruit him as my eyes to the research.
View the original video online at NECN.com.